Eduardo out of Chelsea match

Arsenal striker Eduardo has been ruled out of this weekend’s Premier League match against leaders Chelsea, Gunners boss Arsene Wenger said Thursday.

The Croatia forward has failed to recover from the hamstring strain he suffered during last week’s goalless draw against Aston Villa.

But midfielder Abou Diaby could return from the calf problem that has kept him out of action in recent weeks for Sunday’s London derby at Stamford Bridge.

“Diaby is not yet back in normal training,” Wenger told ArsenalTV Online.

“He progresses very well but we will still have to wait until Saturday. He is a maybe. Eduardo is already ruled out,” the Frenchman added.

“Theo Walcott is back and available so Diaby is the only question mark we have. All the others are longer term injuries.”

Wenger confirmed Robin van Persie is not expected to recover from his ankle injury until April at the earliest after a report stated the Dutch striker might be available by mid March.

“For Robin, the rehabilitation is going well but anything before April would be a little bit premature,” Wenger explained.

Arsenal are third in the table, six points behind Chelsea.